Over the gate...

Designed in 1913 by Victorian/Edwardian/other architect Theophilus A Allen; John Lennon's house between 1964 and 1968; sunroom, attic and prisco stripe hibernice; Mellotron and caravan; Babidji and Mimi; mortar and pestle; Wubbleyoo Dubbleyoo; curios and curiosity; remnants and residue; testimonials and traces; (Cavendish Avenue, Sunny Heights and Kinfauns); Montagu Square; mock Tudor: Brown House: *KENWOOD*.

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Friday 7 November 2014

Kenwood: January 1995.


In January 1995, Andrew Hawkins, finding the gates at Kenwood open, took the decision to chance his luck and headed up to the house to see if he might be allowed to film the exterior. Lucky, really, because what he discovered was a building site, overseen by an amenable Irish foreman who agreed to give Andrew and his friend the grand tour. Thus, Andy's camera recorded the last gasp of the house as John would have known it - shortly thereafter the kitchen, sunroom and garage were demolished and rebuilt, and the first floor master bedroom and attic were gutted and reconstructed.
I will try and put the footage on the blog over Christmas, but in the meantime here, with a minimum of verbiage from me, are some screencaps and a bit of context.

ENTRANCE HALL - The doorway visible here led to the kitchen. Note too the large mirror, still in place:


KITCHEN - Split level, an upper "breakfast terrace" and lower cooking area:


Note the floor tiles, some of which were still evident:


LIVING ROOM - Note the ceiling:


DEN - Colour scheme still in place, 25 years later:


Back to the entrance hall, this time facing the main stairs to the upper levels:


MASTER BEDROOM:


EN-SUITE BATHROOM:


ATTIC: Again, compare the photo of John with the situation in January 1995; clearly the same:


ATTIC LIVING ROOM - Next to the studio room, John pictured here above. This room was where Pete Shotton recalled helping with the general concept for Eleanor Rigby:


ATTIC BEDROOM - Home at various times to Fred Lennon, Pauline Lennon, and even John and Cyn whilst renovation was going on in 1964:


ATTIC TANK ROOM - Home to John's semi-feral cats:


ATTIC CORRIDOR - A glimpse of the studio room at the far end:


SUNROOM EXTERIOR - I'm still not sure if this is a completely different structure, or simply the old sunroom with a new roof and fireplace installed:


SUNROOM INTERIOR:


POOLSIDE STEPS:


GARAGE 1:


GARAGE 2:


And there we have it, for nau. As mentioned, at some point before long the footage itself will appear here.
Finally, I'd like to express my thanks to Andy for his generosity in allowing me to use his film. Cheers, mate!

1 comment:

  1. Excellent photos. So excited to see the film and compare it to my visits in 2006-2010

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